Newcastle-an-the-Tynes

In the morning Laura, Helen and I walked around Newtownards to look for art pieces, Belleek pottery and gifts. We stopped into a small bakery for a quick coffee and pastries and watched the crowds build for lunch.

We met up with Uncle Sam and Aunt Bell at their house to head down through County Down to the town of Newcastle. The road took us through areas of hills called ‘drumlins’ which were left behind by glacial movement ages before. We passed small villages and farmhouses, eventually stopping Dundrum castle for a look. Looming in the distance behind Newcastle were the Mourne Mountains – green and shrouded in fog.

The main feature of Dundrum castle is the round turret in the upper part of the ruin. We followed the spiral staircase to top and took in the panoramic view of the Strangford Lough. On the staircases there are specific ‘trip’ steps that are slightly taller or shorter that would cause uninitiated raiders to lose their balance and fall as they were attacking the castle.

We arrived in the town of Newcastle and it was full of weekend visitors gearing up for the long (bank) holiday weekend ahead. Newcastle is somewhat similar to Atlantic City or Coney Island – a seaside getaway that draws nearby residents to its beaches, arcades and eateries. Helen’s friend Norman invited us by his home overlooking the harbour for tea and conversation. His home has been in his family for hundreds of years and commands a magnificent view of the Irish Sea. Norman talked of his desire to buy a place in Florida to balance time after retirement and opened up his home to us if we ever found our way to Newcastle again.

After saying goodbye to our new friend, we ran into town for a stroll and a stop into a pub for a quick pint. From there it was a quick run at the arcade slots and dinner at Percy French’s restaurant near the hotel Slieve Donard. Percy was an artist and songwriter from the Mournes who wrote a number of notable Irish songs.

On the drive back to Bangor, we stopped at a castle in Killyleagh.

This castle looked Disney-ish, which is a very sad reflection on our sense of reality. This castle was in perfect condition and is in fact still inhabited. The owners are nice enough to leave the outside gate open so that visitors can have a look inside and see the storybook home inside.